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Statewide program aims to reduce childhood drowning

Karl Etters, Tallahassee Democrat 8:54 a.m. EDT July 24, 2014

Lifeguard Alison Daechsel conducts a swimming lesson with 6-year-old Liam Hutchison at a drowning awareness event hosted by the Department of Children and Families on Tuesday.(Photo: Michael Schwarz/Special to the Democrat)

Emergency responders and child safety advocates are calling for more awareness to stem child drownings.

Drowning is the No. 1 cause of death in children under the age of 4 in Florida and according to data from the Department of Children and Families, statewide, there have been 42 child drowning deaths in 2014, 69 percent of them among children younger than 3. Nineteen have occurred after children were able to get away from supervision undetected.

DCF has led a water-safety campaign throughout the state this summer aimed at reducing drowning deaths. The effort offers resources for swim lessons and emphasizes the importance of children learning to swim. The event at the YMCA this week was a continuation of the campaign.

"Sadly, in most of these cases, it is preventable," said Jeanna Olson, DCF Second Circuit community development administrator. "Wouldn't it be good to know you could save a life, possibly the life of someone you know?"

By the numbers

Adults who say they can perform all five basic skills

Adults who say they can swim

Blacks

33%

69%

Whites

51%

84%

Men

57%

84%

Women

36%

78%

Source: USA Today, American Red Cross

While first responders can offer assistance after an incident has occurred, swimming lessons, knowing CPR and vigilance from adults tasked with watching kids near water are all part of the equation of eliminating child drownings. Infants as young as 6 months old can start swimming lessons.

"I can't stress how important it is that children around bodies of water are supervised," said Tallahassee Police Sgt. Derek Friend. "You're not there to read a book, check your tablet or your phone, you're there to pay attention to be focused and to watch the child."

July 11, a 4-year-old Mississippi girl drowned in Wakulla County during a family gathering when she was slipped out to the pool deck unattended and fell in.

Wakulla County Sheriff's officials said she may have been reaching for floating pool toys when she drowned.

"Keeping Florida's children safe in and around water is everyone's responsibility," said Dr. John Armstrong, the state's surgeon general and secretary of health, in a statement. "Supervise consistently, use gates to prevent access to pools, and learn emergency CPR to help keep water activities safe for everyone this summer."

However, anyone can succumb to swimming fatigue.

"It's not just something with children. We see it this time of year where people become exhausted or aren't familiar with swimming," said TFD spokesman Mike Bellamy. "Once you become distracted in the water you go into a panic mode, so it's not uncommon that we see that in all walks of life."

The Tallahassee Fire Department responded to Florida State University Monday evening in response to a man struggling to swim. A lifeguard pulled the man from the pool and TFD performed CPR.

Part of DCF's statewide campaign is focused on CPR lessons. Tallahassee Fire officials demonstrated the life-saving technique and swimming lessons, which the YMCA provides for $85 for non-members and $50 for members, however many scholarship and funding options are available.

Anna-Kay Hutchison, the Capital Region YMCA vice president of operations, said no one will be turned away from swimming lessons because of cost. There are payment and scholarship options.

Lifeguards at the YMCA have already conducted more than 500 swimming lessons this year, something Hutchinson said is key to water safety.

"We're extremely busy this year," she said. "I really believe this is the first step. Get your kids in the water soon."

YMCA lifeguard and swim instructor Alison Daechsel said classes cater to skill levels. Starting kids at 6-months — the earliest YMCA offers classes — is a great way to get kids acclimated to the water.

"I believe that it's (learning to swim) a big component for a state that's surrounded by water," Daechsel said. "I think that starts early and then as an adult you're comfortable to start that trend to get rid of those fears that often get transferred from parent to child."

While kids can start early, there is no set timeframe for a child to be ready. "It's really whenever the child is comfortable," Daechsel said. "It's amazing to see that growth and it's amazing to see their confidence build. It's an amazing skill."

CAN YOU SWIM?

Only 56% of adults who say they can swim can perform five critical water-safety skills that could save their lives, according to a American Red Cross survey. How do you stack up?

Floating: Floating or treading water for one minute without a floatation device.

Rising: Stepping or jumping into water over your head and returning to the surface.

Circling, exiting: Treading water or floating in a full circle and then finding a way out of the water.

Exiting without ladder: Exiting a pool without using a ladder.

25-yard swim: Swimming 25 yards (the length of a standard pool) without stopping